Repair or Replace

Should you repair or replace your air conditioner, heat pump, furnace or boiler? When something breaks down, it's tempting to go the quick route and pay for repairs to get it up and running again. That quick-fix may seem the least expensive route now, but it may not offer the most value in the long run.

There's a lot to consider:

Age ofEquipment

Age of Equipment

Cost ofRepair

Cost of Repair

EnergyEfficiency

Energy Efficiency

RepairHistory

Repair History

MovingSoon!

Moving Soon!

EquipmentPerformance

Equipment Performance

The following questions will guide you through these points of consideration:

What type of equipment are you repairing?

Air Conditioner or Heat Pump

Furnace or Boiler

Gas/Electric Packaged Unit

Existing System

To help us with your evaluation, we need to know what type of system you have in your home. Review the system types below, and chose the one that best represents the system you have in your home. Click on any image for more details about that system type.

A heat pump or air conditioner combined with an evaporator coil in a single unit outside your home:

All you need is a control or thermostat and any air quality accessories you'd like.

Packaged Systems may be located on the exterior of your home either on the rooftop or in the yard.

Optional Air Quality Accessories such as Air Cleaners or Ventilators - Clean your air before it circulates throughout your home

What is the age of your equipment?

Less than 6 Years

6-10 Years

11-20 Years

Over 20 Years

Do not Know

Equipment Age and Life Expectancy

Most equipment is designed for a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.

VS.

Older equipment is prone to the following:

More expensive repairs, such as compressors or heat exchangers

Much lower energy efficiency vs. today's standards

Reduced performance due to clogged or corroding coils

What is the estimated cost of needed repairs?

Less than $100

$100 - $500

$501 - $1000

Over $1000

Equipment Repair

Repairing existing equipment can be a good decision as long as:

The cost of the repair is less than 30% of the cost of new equipment

The rest of the system is in excellent operating condition

Otherwise, the cost of the repair would be better invested in a new system.

Is the equipment still under warranty?

No

Yes

What is the SEER efficiency rating of your equipment?

14 and over

11 - 13

8 - 10

5 - 7

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save.

Type of refrigerant used?

R-410A

R-22

Has the air conditioner compressor been replaced recently?

No

Yes

What is the AFUE efficiency rating of your equipment?

Over 90

87 - 90

80 - 86

70 - 79

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a measure of a gas furnace's efficiency in converting fuel to energy, by projecting the average thermal efficiency for a complete heating season. A higher AFUE rating means greater energy efficiency.

Has the heat exchanger been replaced recently?

No

Yes

Does your equipment turn on and off repeatedly during the day?

No

Yes

Do you have problem rooms that seem to never get warm or cool?

No

Yes

Is the turning on of your equipment noticeable, disturbing or causing annoying vibrations in your home?

No

Yes

How long do you expect to stay in this home?

Less than 2 years

2-5 years

6-10 years

Over 10 years

Length of Residency

If you are moving within the next year or two and believe investing in a new home comfort system will improve the value of your home, you should consider making the investment. If you plan to live in your current residence for many years, it may be wise to invest in your future comfort.